NZCT Junior Boys’ Finals 2007: Day Two

The second round of the NZCT Junior Boy’s Cup national finals’ tournament saw the four winning teams from day one play each other, and likewise the losing teams.

POOL A:
Match 1: St Patrick’s College v Tauranga Boys’ College

This was one of two nail biting matches for the day. In this match, the ball reigned supreme over the bat. TBC won the toss and put SPC in. They struggled right from start and were dismissed in the 29th over for 96. Sean Davey, Matt Hill and Campbell Thomas shared most of the wickets. In reply TBC were quickly in trouble, and despite the low total they were chasing’ were made to work right to the end. The TBC captain Joe Carter contributed 31 runs, but as a team they slumped to nine down with six to get. However, TBC got there in the end to win by the narrowest of margins. Pace bowlers Frankie L’Estrange, backing up from a fine performance yesterday, and Joshua Cuttance, both bowled with penetration to grab four wickets each.

Summary
SBC: 96 (Sean Davey 2/16, Matt Hill 3/24, Campbell Thomas 2/14)
TBC: 97/9 (Joe Carter 31, Michael Lowe (4/15), Joshua Cuttance 4/28)
Result: Win to Tauranga Boys’ College by 1 wicket

Match 2: New Plymouth Boys’ High School v Otago Boys’ High School

OBHS won the toss and batted. Despite the loss of an early wicket they batted aggressively, and with two fine partnerships of 77 for the 2nd wicket and 53 for the 4th wicket, posted a formidable total of 222/6. Lance Taylor and Jordan Hunter both scored half centuries and they were well supported by Kane Russell and Isaac Gutschlag. William Sandafar took two wickets with his leggies. NPBHS responded promisingly and after a very good start by Conner Oliver-Rose and captain William Young they were in a sound position to launch midway through their innings. Although Josh Sandford added a valuable 28, the loss of regular wickets saw them fall short by 28 runs. Aaron Blair was the main destroyer for OBHS with 4/45. Jordan Hunter also picked up two wickets.

Summary
OBHS: 222/6 (Lance Taylor 52, Jordan Hunter 63, Kane Russell 41, Isaac Gutschlag 21; William Sandafar 2/45)
NPBHS 194 (Conner Oliver-Rose 27, William Young 33, Josh Sandford 28; Aaron Blair 4/45, Jordan Hunter 2/30)
Result: Win to Otago Boys’ High School by 28 runs

POOL B:
Match 1: Auckland Grammar School v Hamilton Boys’ High School

HBHS won the toss and batted. A third wicket stand of 54 between Harrison Bolli [51] and Hugh Blake [28] provided the basis for them to score a very reasonable 180/7 off their 40 overs. In reply AGS were soundly placed at 71/1 at the halfway stage through Josh Stuchbery [31] and N Majurey [30], but then the HBHS spinners came into their own. Accurate bowling, slick fielding and a mounting run rate saw AGS crumble to be all out for 107 in the 35th over. Captain Joe Walker lead from the front taking four wickets, Jared Sun grabbed three, and while he only got one wicket, Mitchell Dickeson bowled miserly with his 8 overs conceding just 10runs.

Summary
NPBHS 180/7 (Harrison Bolli 51, Hugh Blake 28)
AGS 107 (Josh Stuchbery 31, N Majurey 30; Joe Walker 4/20, Jared Sun 3/7)
Result: Win to Hamilton Boys’ High School by 73 runs

Match 2: Napier Boys’ High School v St Bede’s College

The second nail biter for the day. NBHS won the toss and gave SBC the first use of the wicket which they enjoyed to score an impressive 205/7. Their innings was based around a majestic innings of 82 not out by Matt Comyns who had two very good partnerships with Matthew Kottier and Hagen Schulte. The wickets for NBHS were shared between Mark Harris, Joshua Jones and Hamish Lewis who took two each. NBHS made a very good start with a first wicket stand of 74 of which captain Mark Harris got 32. The loss of a couple of wickets brought Andrew Bevin to the crease and he quickly compiled 43, then Callum Withington added 21. However, by now NBHS were nine wickets down and four runs were needed by the last pair. They obliged and saw NBHS home by one wicket with 8 balls to spare. Right medium pacer Hagen Schulte had a very good double taking 5/40 for SBC.

Summary:
SBC: 205/7 (Matt Comyns 82no, Matthew Kottier 27, Hagen Schulte 20; Mark Harris 2/41, Joshua Jones 2/26, Hamish Lewis 2/30)
NBHS 206/9 (Mark Harris 32, Andrew Bevin 43, Callum Withington 21; Hagen Schulte 5/40)
Result: Win to Napier Boys’ High School by 1 wicket